Traffic stop on I-70 in Putnam County yields nearly 400 pounds of suspected cocaine

Courtesy photo

Written from press release

CLOVERDALE, Ind. — An Indiana State Police trooper seized nearly 400 pounds of suspected cocaine during a traffic stop Monday morning on Interstate 70 in Putnam County, according to state police.

Police said a criminal interdiction trooper stopped a commercial motor vehicle traveling eastbound on I-70 near the 37-mile marker, close to Cloverdale, after the driver was observed exceeding the posted speed limit.

During the stop, the trooper observed what police described as multiple criminal indicators suggesting the driver was operating below industry standards.

State police said the driver, identified as 27-year-old Harmandeep Singh of Bakersfield, California, gave consent for troopers to search the tractor and trailer.

Inside the rear of the trailer, troopers found several duffle bags and cardboard boxes containing about 392 pounds, or 178 kilograms, of suspected cocaine, police said. The estimated street value of the drugs is about $9 million.

Singh was taken into custody and transported to the Putnam County Jail, where he is being held on a $30,000 cash bond.

He was preliminarily charged with dealing in a narcotic drug, a Level 2 felony, and possession of a narcotic drug, a Level 3 felony.

Final charges will be determined by the Putnam County Prosecutor.

Indiana State Police said the seizure was part of ongoing criminal interdiction efforts along the state’s major highways aimed at disrupting the flow of illegal drugs and other contraband.

All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

The post Traffic stop on I-70 in Putnam County yields nearly 400 pounds of suspected cocaine first appeared on The Bloomingtonian.